Marmara Elt Resources

Common Idioms-Idioms-I
if worst comes to worst
- if the worst possible thing happens

If worst comes to worst we can cancel our holiday and go next year.
ill at ease
- feel nervous/uncomfortable

He appeared to be ill at ease during the interview.
in a bind
- in trouble

They will really be in a bind if they can`t sell their house by next month.
in advance
- ahead of time

They bought the tickets in advance so that they could get a good seat.
in a family way
- pregnant, going to have a baby

Our new secretary is in a family way and plans to take a few months off from work soon.
in a fog (haze)
- confused, not sure what is happening

He is always in a fog and never seems to know what is going on.
in a hole
- in some trouble, in an embarrassing or difficult position

He is really in a hole now that he has problems both at work and at home.
in a hurry
- a need to move or act quickly

He is very busy and always in a hurry.
in a jam
- in trouble

He is really in a jam now that his car is not working properly.
in a kind (sort) of way
- to a certain extent, a little, somewhat

I would like to go in a kind of way but still I don`t think that I will bother going today.
in and out
- coming in and going out often

He has been in and out all day but I don`t know where he is at the moment.
in a nutshell
- briefly

I tried to explain the problem to him in a nutshell but there still wasn`t enough time.
in any case (event)
- no matter what happens, surely, without fail

I may not be able to meet you next week but in any case I will still give you the books before then.
in a pig`s eye
- hardly, unlikely, not so

In a pig`s eye will I let him borrow my car next weekend.
in a pinch
- okay when nothing else is available

That other tool will do in a pinch if we can`t find the correct one.
in arms
- armed, ready to fight

They are all in arms since they found out about the wage decrease.
in a rush
- in a hurry

They got the job done in a big rush so I am a little worried about the quality.
in a rut
- always doing the same thing

She feels that she is in a rut after doing the same job for seven years.
in a spot
- in some trouble, in an embarrassing or difficult position

She is really in a tight spot right now since she was unable to enter university and also has no job.
in a way
- to a certain extent, a little, somewhat

In a way I would like to go but basically I don`t care.
in a word
- briefly, to sum up

In a word, the problem with the car is that it needs a new motor.
in a world of one`s own
- in deep thought or concentration, not caring about other people

He is always in a world of his own and doesn`t notice what other people say or think.
in black and white
- in writing

I want to get the information in black and white before I go to the meeting.
in cahoots with
- in secret agreement or partnership with someone

The supermarket was in cahoots with the vegetable producer to try and keep the prices high.
in case
- as a precaution, in order to be prepared

In case there is a fire, we keep our computer backup files in a fireproof safe.
in character
- as usual, typical, in the way that a person usually behaves

Supporting the other members of the staff is in character with her usual actions.
in charge
- in control or authority, responsible

He is charge of the sales department at his company.
in check
- under control, kept quiet or back

The violence was kept in check by the police department and the army.
in clover
- rich or successful, having a pleasant or easy life

They are in clover now that they have sold their business and retired.
in cold blood
- without feeling or pity, cooly and deliberately

The family was murdered in cold blood by the criminal gang.
in common
- shared together or equally, in use or ownership by all

We had to use the bathroom in common with the other people in the house.
in deep
- seriously mixed up in something like debt or trouble

He owes a lot of money and is in very deep with his new house and car.
in due course
- in the usual amount of time, at the right time

We will send the information to you in due course.
in fact
- actually, the truth is

He`s been to China before. In fact he`s been there three times.
in for
- unable to avoid, sure to get

He is in for a lot of trouble now that he is unable to finish his graduation essay.
in good time
- a little early, sooner than necessary

I will try and get the information to you in good time so that you will be able to decide what to do.
in hand
- under control

The teacher had the class in hand when the principal came to visit the classroom.